Apr 2, 2010

Carola Muysers of Berlin Woman

Besides being the head of her own agency, art historian Carola Muysers is the editor of Berlin Woman, a new blog on cultural life in Berlin.

In today's interview, Carola talks about her blog's quick-start, why Berlin is so important for her work, and the plans she has with Berlin Woman for the future.

What's your name, how old are you, and what do you do for a living (or all day, for that matter)?

My name is Carola Muysers, I was born in 1960 and am the head of a consultancy firm for creative enterprises (http://www.beesandbutterflies.de).

How long have you been blogging? How did you get around to blogging?

I've only just started, but had been having the idea for two years or so. I came up with it, because I'm out and about for work a lot, visiting plenty of cultural events and art spaces. I'm a well-educated art historian who likes to observe. Berlin is the perfect place for that, for its creative variety. One has his/ her fingers on the pulse of time here, we need to make ourselves aware of that.

What's your blog called and why?

My blog's called "Berlin Woman - Stadtkultur im weiblichen Blick" ["Berlin Woman - City Culture from a Woman's View"]: http://www.berlin-woman.de . Berlin Woman sounds like a perfume, doesn't it? I see myself as a Berlin Woman. I'm in the middle of it all, but have some distance that allows me to write about the city because of my age and professional experience. I'm a humorous person and like to include humour into my blog posts whenever can.

What are you blogging about? Why?

I write about Berlin city life from a woman's point of view. I sort through recommended events, see which could be interesting for women, attend them and test them. These are events in the arts, music, fashion, politics, or locations or creative companies. If I thought what I saw was worthwhile, I blog about it and recommend it.

Blogs are such a democratic medium. You can write about whatever you like, and if people appreciate it, you suddenly have a community. Many of my friends and colleagues have asked me where to go, where to dance, and what to do. I'm very interested in cultural matters, am on the go, and find that Berlin has a lot to offer to its female audience. And I don't only mean events in women centres, that I generally appreciate. But the whole city has been shaped by great and interesting women. We should go and support the men and women who've been doing so. My blog is not about the fancy, expensive stuff, but creativity.

Who's your target audience?

Initially I thought that I was talking to women between the ages of 40 and 100, but I've been contacted by men and younger women, too. I think that's great, that they appreciate my blogging.

Who designed your blog? How much was that? In case you designed your own layout: Where did you learn how to?

I usually work with a web designer: fuhrmann a.m.i.: http://www.diefu.de.

Which software and which host do you use? Can you recommend them?

Wordpress. Mittwald-Medien.

What role play photos, MP3-files or video clips on your blog? If you use them, would you mind showing us one (please attach to this reply)?

I don't put pictures online. I want my readers to use their own imagination when they read my posts. I write pictorially, that helps. I gave Annina a recent photo of mine for this interview, though.

How many readers do you have? How many would you like to have? Does their number matter to you at all?

My blog has been starting up well, I get several hundred clicks a day.I'd love to have many, many readers that contribute to my blog by adding tips, comments, and messages. A new idea is that we could all meet up for the events I recommend. I like the idea of my blog becoming a networked community.

Can you learn how to blog? Do you need to know a lot about computers? Do you have any advice for beginners?

You have to be born to blog. You need to enjoy communicating and have a sense of mission. Otherwise it will all die down soon. Blogging really keeps you busy. Technically, I don't know much, but I still manage. You need good software, straight forward and easy to use.

Do you use twitter, too? Why (not)? What pros and cons do you see when it comes to twitter?

I haven't really gotten around to Twitter yet, even though it seems it could aid my blog a lot. Frankly, though, understanding these new gimmicks is like learning a whole different language to me. I'm not as quick with that stuff as I used to be. But who knows, perhaps I'll be tweeting a lot soon, too.

Which other female bloggers can you recommend? Why?

I've only just started to network in the blogosphere. I like the "Mädchenmannschaft", it's intelligently made [see interview with Helga Hansen here]. My own blog roll consists of women artists. That's how Berlin Woman bundles information on female creativity.

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